There is only one team in the state of Georgia that is currently bowl eligible, and we’ll give you a hint: they don’t bark or buzz. That’s right, after a 37-13 beat down of Texas State, the Eagles find themselves as the first bowl eligible team in the state.

On offense the Eagles had one of of their most dominant performances of the season as they broke the 500 yard mark for the second time. Four scores on the ground gave the team 35 rushing touchdowns on the season, a category they lead the entire NCAA including rushing yards with 3,085. Freshman running back Wesley Fields had the biggest game of his young career with 158 yards on nine carries and a score. The freshman has showed flashes of excellence all season that has fans excited for the future.

With four games remaining in the season, Georgia Southern is sitting pretty in terms of guaranteeing themselves a bowl position. Remaining on the schedule is two bottom of the Sun Belt barrel teams in Troy and Georgia State, a middle of the road conference contender in South Alabama, and a wounded University of Georgia program. These remaining games give the Eagles a glowing opportunity to garner more national attention as they head into the bowl season next month.

Aside from winning games, there is a star that has been turning eyes to Statesboro all season. Junior running back Matt Breida began the season on the Doak Walker watch list and has lived up to the hype, most recently with his 200+ yard performance against the Bobcats. His efforts have now placed him at fourth in the country in terms of rushing yards (1158) and he is one yard behind the current third placed runner. He is on track to break 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns and beat his performance from last season. ESPN still does not list him among the top 7 on the Heisman watch list but there is still plenty of time to turn heads.

The Eagles head into the bye week before going on the road for two games, then back at home for two. Up next for the team is the Troy Trojans, a team that has struggled in past years but nearly knocked off Appalachian State but couldn’t pull out the win in overtime. The Trojans certainly have upset potential if Georgia Southern doesn’t go up early and break their spirits.

For the fans, many aren’t looking at the game against Troy, but the impending showdown that will take place in Athens on November 21st. Coach Fritz and the rest of the team are undoubtedly taking things one week at a time, but it is harder for fans who are hoping to get bragging rights over old friends who made the wrong college decision. It is important for the fans to support Georgia Southern in the coming weeks and stay behind them for the Troy game. If the Eagles are able to come away with a win over Georgia, we don’t want anyone to think it is a fluke, or because UGA is having a rough year, but that the Georgia Southern is a legitimate FBS program that is here to stay.